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Characterization of the initial steps in the T7 DNA ejection process.

Verónica A González-García1, Rebeca Bocanegra2, Mar Pulido-Cid1

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Bacteriophage
|October 14, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophage T7 uses its tail to inject DNA into Escherichia coli, with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) identified as the primary receptor. Porins OmpA and OmpF also influence T7 infection steps.

Keywords:
DNA ejectionPodoviridaecryo-electron mprotein structuretail complex

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) utilize specialized tail structures for genome delivery.
  • The bacteriophage T7 tail is short, non-contractile, and composed of a tube with surrounding fibers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the receptor for bacteriophage T7 on Escherichia coli.
  • To investigate the role of bacterial envelope proteins in T7 infection.
  • To elucidate the structural changes in the T7 tail during genome ejection.

Main Methods:

  • Incubation of T7 with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to identify the receptor.
  • Screening of bacterial envelope proteins (OmpA, OmpF) for effects on T7 adsorption and infection.
  • Structural comparison of T7 before and after genome ejection.

Main Results:

  • Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were confirmed as the T7 receptor, mediating complete genome delivery.
  • Porins OmpA and OmpF were found to influence T7 adsorption and infection kinetics.
  • Conformational changes in the T7 tail structure were identified, essential for genome ejection.

Conclusions:

  • Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the primary receptor for bacteriophage T7.
  • Bacterial porins OmpA and OmpF play roles in the initial stages of T7-host interaction.
  • The T7 tail undergoes structural rearrangements for DNA ejection, a mechanism potentially shared by other Podoviridae viruses.